Friday, February 15, 2013

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (February 11, 2013) ‒ Boston's Church of the
Covenant at Newbury and Berkeley Streets in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood has
been named a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior,
Ken Salazar. The public is invited to join representatives of the National
Park Service for a presentation ceremony at the church on Sunday, February 24
at noon, followed by a reception.

Fewer than 2,600 places nationwide, and only seven other
churches in Boston, bear this distinction. The National Historic Landmark
program, begun in 1935 and administered by the National Park Service,
recognizes nationally significant historic places that possess exceptional
value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United
States.

The Gothic Revival church, designed by architect Richard M.
Upjohn and completed in 1867, is recognized as having the largest interior designed
by the Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company. Completed
in 1894-96, the comprehensive decoration includes 42 large stained glass
windows, Byzantine-style mosaics, complex trompe l’oeil painted decoration,
elaborate wood traceries and furnishings, and a massive illuminated art glass
lantern that was displayed at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

“There are very few churches in the
world that have interiors completely designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and
none as complete or important as the Church of the Covenant in Boston,” wrote stained
glass authority Arthur Femenella, who was commissioned by Tiffany & Company
to survey the 42 stained glass windows at the church in 1991. Art historian and
stained glass exhibition curator Virginia C. Raguin has stated, “There is
absolutely no question in my mind [this] is one of the most impressive
collections of glass in America.” Tiffany expert Robert Koch has described the
church’s lantern as “a great hanging sculpture, the grandfather of all Tiffany
leaded glass lamps and an important example of America’s best art of the
1890s.”

The Church of the Covenant houses
an active congregation jointly affiliated with the United Church of Christ (Congregational)
and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The sanctuary is open to the public during
Sunday worship at 10:30 am and Mon-Sat from 11 am-3pm, April thru October.